Transformer explosion at Fayetteville substation causes widespread blackout
EIR-0915Provisional entry. Published from first reports. This entry is rechecked automatically and updated when more sources appear. Next update: 18 September 2026.
A transformer at an electric substation on Owen Drive near Cumberland Road in Fayetteville, North Carolina, exploded on a Saturday night in March 2014, producing sparks and a fire that was quickly contained. The substation is used by both Duke Energy Progress and the city-owned Public Works Commission (PWC), and is described as one of the larger substations in the city and a source for Duke Energy Progress to deliver power to PWC. A PWC spokeswoman said a fire in a line or equipment owned by Duke Energy at the substation caused the blackout across parts of the city. At its peak, between 25,000 and 30,000 PWC customers lost power; a broadcaster reported, and PWC repeated, that more than 180,000 customers across parts of the Cape Fear region were affected, a figure not independently confirmed in the report. Traffic signals failed and police directed traffic at major intersections. Power was restored to all PWC customers within about an hour. No injuries were reported. The cause of the explosion was not known at the time of reporting.
Not reported. The cause of the transformer explosion was unknown at the time of the article.
- A single substation failure can cause disproportionately large outages when the site serves as a critical node shared by more than one utility or a wide service area.
- Rapid coordination between utilities and rerouting from alternative sources can restore supply quickly after a major equipment failure.
- Loss of traffic signals following a substation incident calls for prompt manual traffic control at affected intersections to maintain public safety.
Published 2026-09-16. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.